Nut tapping machine



Now 24, l931.- F -d 1,833,182 I NUT TAPPING MACHINE Filed June a. 1921 SSheota-Shee't 1 NOV. 24, 1931. SAFF'QRD 1,833,182

NUT TAPPING MACHINE Filed June 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 75 Win W'" Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES P TENT orrlcs LEWIS A. SAI'I'ORILOF m YORK, ABBIGNOB '10 AUTOHA'IIC FUT-TH R IAD' OQBPORATION. OF BUFFALO, m YORK,- A WRIOBLTIOI' 01 m YORK m rmme mcanm Application filed June 6, 1927. Serial Io. 108,880.

. This invention relates to a machine for automatically threading blanks such as nut blanks and more particularly to the means whereby the nut blanks are fed from a source I of supply to the means whereb the threads are cut in the openin s of these lanks.

It is the ob'ect of t is invention to provide a'machine -w ereby the nut blanks are fed automatically and rapidly to the threading l mechanism so as to secure a large output withill! a -ven time, also to properly align the nut -b an are rotated with'reference to the threading tap, also to provide means whereby breakage or'derangement of the machine is prevented in the event that an imperfect nut blank is presented, and also to (provide simple and efiicient means for a justing the guide through which the finished nut blanks are discharged from the shank of the threading 1 h the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation, part1 1n section, of a nut tapping machine em ying m improvements. V 1 4 igure 2 is a front end. elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine, on an enlarged scale taken on line 3-3 Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section taken on line 44 Fig. 3. Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on .line 5 -5 Fig. 3.

' pling dogv and the trip'slide forming part of the means for-coupling and uncouplm the adapter of the not register with the spindle .0f the chuck.

scale, of the chuck.

.' Figure8 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale of the chute which supplies the nut blanks, said section being taken on line 8- 8 Fig. 2. I

7 Similar characters of reference indicate like parts in thesev'eral views of the draw- ?he numeral 10 represents the main frame we of the machine which may be of any s with the chuck whereby the nut blanks Figure 6 is a perspective view ofthe cou- Figure 7 is afront elevation, on an enlarged which is fed into the front end of the tapped able construction to su workin arts. Mounte on the upper rear part 0 t e main frame is the mechanism which operates to cut a thread through the boron! opening of the nut blanks 11, which port the various tapping mechanism in the preferred form, as l best shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 7, is construct ed as follows The numeral 12 represents a hollow or tubular chucks indle which is arra d horis zontall and engthwise of the mac e and journa ed in the upper rear part of'the main frame preferably by two ball bearings 13 and 14 inter sed between the front and rear ends of t 's spindle and the adjacentpart'of the main frame as best shown in Fig. 3. This chuck spmdle is rotated continuously while the mac ine is in operation b' any suitable mechanism from any availa le source of power. As best shown in the drawings Power s transmittedto this machine by means of a belt passing around a driving pulley 15 which is mounted on the front outer end of a main drivingih naled in suitable hearings on the front art. of the main frame, anintermediate sha journaled horizontally and lengthwise in aft 16, jour-;

suitable bearings on the main frame above the driving shaft, a change speed gearing -18 which is interposed between the inner 'en of. the main shaft 16 and the intermediate construction, and a drivmg pinion 19 secured to the rear end of the intermediateshaft 17. and meshin with a gear wheel20 which is secured'to t e chuck spindle 12 between the front and real-ends thereof.

Within theffront end of the chuck" are mounted means whereby a nut lapk ma shaft 17 and which may be of any suitable 7 die is compelled toturn' therewith, w 'ch f means may be varied but in the preferred construction the same comprises two ,like

jaws 21, 21 which haves cylindrical periphery fitting into the front end of the bore of the chuck spindle and compelled. to turn therewith by means of a key 22 while the bore of the two jaws are constructed to it the pe 'phe of the nut blank which ie-to be y t e machine. The bore of these so in Figs. 3 and 5.

jaws as shown in Fig. 7 are of hexagonal form and also of a certain size, but these jaws may be changed so that the bore of the same corresponds to different shapes of nuts and also different sizes. Forexam 1e, this bore may be of square form when t e nut blanks are this shape and the bore also may be made of smaller or larger diameter to suit the particular size of nut blank which is to be tapped. When driven fully inward the front ends of the chuck jaws are flush with the front end of the spindle and the inner or rear ends of the same engages with an internal shoulder 23 formed within the-bore of the chuck 1 s indle, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to avoid placement of the jaws when they are subjected to rearward pressure.

Within the rear art of the chuck spindle is arranged a gui e bushing 24 of tubular 6 form, the bore of which is determined in accordance with the size of nut blank which is to be tapped so as to properly guide the same during its passage through'the chuck. This bushing is held in place by means of an exterv as nal flange 25 thereon which engages its front side with the rear end of the chuck spindle while its rear side is engaged by a clamping ring 26 having a screw connection with the rear end of the chuck spindle, as best shown Within the front part of the chuck spindle is arranged afloating ta 27 whereby screw'threads are cut in the nut blanks which are fed over the same. This 3' tap is provided with a cylindrical unthreaded shank 28 which extendsrearwardl from the tap through .the bushing 24 and t on curves laterally and terminates within a guide bushing 29. As the nut blanks are pushed over the tap 27 the same are rotated by the chuck and a thread is thereby out into the bore of the nut blank during which time the tap is held against turning b reason of its laterally projecting shank 28 eing arranged within the bushing 29.

After the threadin of the nutblank has been completed the nished nuts slide successively -1n the manner of. a string of beads lengthwise'on the unthreaded shank 28 to the laterally projecting rear end thereof, at which point they pass through the guide bushing 29 and then drop into a receptacle or other means provided for that purpose. When tapping nuts of different sizes or thicknesses it 1s necessary to adjust the tap len hwise in the chuck to meet varying conditions, and as this necessaril moves the rear or, delivery endof the tap shank 28 lengthwise of the machine provision is made for adjusting the delivery guide 29 accordingly. This dehvery guide must also be re laced by one of larger or smaller diameter epending on the size of nut blank which. is being tapppd. The preferred means for thus in 6 terc angeably holding a guide bushing 29 mounted a holder consisting of lower and upnected for the purpose of inserting therebere of the as follows a will therefore and also permitting of adjusting the same on v the main frame ma be varied but the preferred means whic are shown in Figs. 1 and 5 for this purpose are constructed as follows 1 The numeral 30 represents a rearwardly and laterally projectin bracket formed on the rear upper part of t e main frame. On the outer end portion of this bracket is r sections 31, 32 which removably receive tween them the delivery ide' bushin 29. In the preferred construction these ho der sections are pivotally connected on one side of the bushing by means of a pin 33 and on the opposite side of this bushing-by means of a clamping bolt 34. By this means the two sections of the holder may be discontween a delivery guide bushing of the ri ht size. For the purpose of adjusting t holder and the guide bushing 29 t ereon lengthwise of the machine, the lower guide section is provided with one or more longitudinal slots 35 each of which receives a clamping screw 36 entering the adjacent part ofthe bracket 30.v By these means the bushing 29 and its holder may be readily adjusted lengthwise of the machine for bringing the tap 27 into the required sition for tapping nut blanks of various slzes and thicknesses. The means which are provided for feeding the nut blanks to the tapping mechanism in accordance with my invention are constructed,

The numeral 37 represents a supply hopper. or mechanism which is adapted to contain. a uantity of nut blanks which are to be t readed.- This hopper is arranged over the main frame of the machine an en ported thereon by means of a bracket 38 an means are provided for discharging one nut at a time from this mechanism to a chute which is adapted to hold a column of such nut blanks and deliver them one at a time into a position axially in line with the threadin mechanism. Inasmuch as the means for elivering the nuts from the hopper forms no part of the invention no particular description of the same is reiineired and general reference made to this mechanism by the reference numeral 39.

The chute which receives the nut blanks from the suppl hopper and delivers them to the point w ere they are transferred to the threading mechanism preferably comprises two upright side rails 40, 40 which are arranged para] el and form the side walls of the chute, andsfront and rear end walls 41, 41 which are connected by means of bolts 42 with opposite edges of the side walls 40 so as to form therewith an upright conduit or passageway which conforms to the eneral outline of the nuts to be threaded an therefore compels them to form apile or column,

the blanks of which cannot be disarranged by moving from the upper inlet end of the chute to the outlet or lower end of the same. The outlet of this chute is formed by extending the side rails or bars 40 downwardly below the end walls 41 equal to the diameter of one of the nut blanks and connecting the lower end of the side walls 40 b a curved bottom or cross-piece 43, thus lhaving an o ning on the front and rear sides of this ute at the lower end thereof which permits the means whereby the nut blank is ejected fromthis chute to enter the lower end of the front side thereof and discharge the nut blank from the rear side thereof.

Washers 44 are preferably arranged on the bolts 42 between opposite sides of the side walls and the end walls 41 so that by selecting washers of varying thicknesses the depth of the chute in a line parallel with the axis of the chuck can be varied to suit nut blanks of varying heights which are to be threaded or tapped.

Between the outlet at the lower end of the chute and the front or inlet end of the chuck is arranged a mechanism which is adapted to receive the nut blanks one at a time from the chute and resent the same incorrect register with the ]aws of the chuck preparatory to threading these blanks by rotating them about the relatively stationary tap. This registering or transferring mechanism-is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and constructed as follows g The numeral 45 represents an outer ringshaped frame which is mounted in any suitable manner on an adjacent stationary part of the machine, and 46 represents an inner rotatable ring which is journaled in the ring 45 so as to turn about a horizontal longitudinal axis in line with the tap. A practical form of the means for pivotally mounting or j ournalling this inner ring on the outer ring 45 consists of two flanges 47 48 secured to the front and rear sides of the inner ring and en gaging with annular rabbets 49, 50 on the front and rear sides of the outer supporting ring 45 as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Within the inner ring is mounted an adapter 51 which is secured thereto by a key 52 or otherwise so as to be compelled to turn therewith and which has its bore made of hexagonal form, as shown in Fig. 4, or any other form corresponding to that of the outline of the nut blank which is to be tapped.

Motion for turning'the inner supporting ring 46 together with the adapter mounted therein is derived from the chuck and the means whereby this is effected are so constructed that at times this adapter remains at rest in a registered position a sufiicient length of time to permit a nut blank to be fed from the chute into the adapter and then the adaptor and its supporting rings are coupled with the chuck whi e the adapter and thejaws of the chuck are in register, so as to permit of transferring the blank nut from the adapter to the jaws of the chuck and over the tap preparatory to threading the latter.

This coupling is effected between the adapter supporting ring and the spindle of the chuck and the construction of this coupling is preferably as follows The numeral 58 is a coupling dog mounted in a part of the adapter ring 46 so as to be capable of sliding parallel with the longitu inal axis thereof so that its rear end can moveinto and out of the path of the coupling pins 54 which are arranged in an annular row on the front face or end of the chuck s indle. The coupling dog 53 is yieldingly hel in its rearwardly projected operative position by means of a spring 55 interposed between a forwardly facing shoulder '56 on the coupling dog 53 and the front flange 47 of the adapter ring 46, as shown in Fig. 5. On its outer side the coupling dog is provided with an inclined face 57 which is adapted to be engaged by an inclined face 58 on the inner end of a trip bar 59 which slides radially in a guide way. in the stationary outer support ing ring 45 so that the inclined face 58 can move into and out of the path of the incline 57 on the coupling dog 53. This inward and outward movement of the trip bar 59 is effected in harmony with the operation of other parts of the machine and particularly in harmony with the mechanism whereby the nut blanks are fed from the lower end of the chute to the adapter of the registering mechanism. For this purpose this actuating mechanism for the trip bar 59 preferably comprises a longitudinai rock shaft 60 which is yournaled in suitable bearings on the stationary parts of the machine and provided at its rear end with a fork 61 which embraces a reduced neck 62 on the outer end of the trip bar 59, and a trip cam 63 mounted on a cam arm 64 carried by the 'front end of the rock shaft 60 and adapted to be engaged by a longitudinally movable tappet 65 which operates in harmony with the nut feeding mechanism. The several parts are so timed that whenthe nut feeding mechanism effects the first part of its movement for transferring a nut blank from the chute to the adapter, the 4 tappet 65 by engaging with the cam 63 will rock the shaft 60 in a direction for causing the trip bar 59 to be withdrawn from the incline 57 on the coupling dog 53 whereby the latter is permitted, under the action of the spring 55, to move rearwardly into the path of the coupling pins 54 so that the next fol.- lowing coupling pin will engage the rear end of the coupling dog 53 and thereby compel the adapter to rotate in unison and in' register with the chuck. 1

' The'parts are so constructed and timed that" this coupling of the adapter and the chuckwill be effected when the adapter and the jaws of the chuck are in correct register and thereb permit of roperlytransferringi the nut b ank. in the a apter to the jaws of t e chuck.

7 During the last art of the backward movement of the nut ceding mechanism during which the tappet 65 moves forwardly, the cam 63 by dropping from its high face to its low face on the tappet 65 will permit the rock shaft 60 to be turned in the opposite direction by a spring 66 connecting a In on the cam arm 64 with an adjacent part 0 the a frame, as shown in Fi 2, thereby causin the trip bar 59 to be again ushed inwar so that its cam face 58 stan sin the path 0 the cam face 59 of the couplingdog 53, whereby the latter during the rotation of the adapter and its supporting ring withthe clutch will cause the coupling dog 53 to be withdrawn by a wedge action from engagement with the reso that the latter will continue to rotate independently of the adapter and the adapter will come to rest with itsbore in the correct position or register with the lowermostnut of the column in the chute so that this lowermost nut can now be pushed forwardly from the chute into the adapter without encountering an obstruction.

. he preferred form of the mechanism whereby the nut blanks are fed successively from the lower end of the (pile or stack in the supply chute is constructe as follows v e numeral 67 represents a lunger which is arranged axially in line wit the outlet of the chute, the. adapter and thechuck, and is capable of longitudinal reciprocating movement for the purpose of transferringa nut blank from the chute through the adapter and into the chuck. When in its foremost position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the rear .end. of the plunger is in line with or nearly so with the rear side of the vertical path of' the nut blanks in the chute, so that the column of nut blanks is free to drop by gravity and enable the lowermost nut blank to engage the bottom 43 of the chute and stand in rear of the plunger 67. This plunger is secured at its front end to horizontally and longitudiv nally reciprocating guide rods 68 which latter, together with the plunger 67 are preferably made hollow to serve as a condmtfor conducting a collant to the nut blankswhrle the same are being operated on by the tap and thereby not only lubricate the tool but also wash away chips which are formed during this operation. This collant is supplied from any suitable source by means of a pump 69 having its'inlet connected by means of a pipe 70 with a" source of su plg while its outlet is connected b means o a 7 enable tube 71 and ,an angular f itting 72'with' the front end of the plunger rod 68,- as best shown Figs. 2, 3, and 5. The shaft 73 of the pump 13 preferably driven by means of a chain belt 7 4 I 65 passing around sprocket wheels 75 and 76 sespective coupling pin 54 on the chuck spindle -1mparted to this shaft by means of a gear g -the tap so as to cause the bore of thenut umn of nuts in the chute by means of return chine, as shown in Fig. 1.

cured respectively to the intermediate shaft 17 and the pump shaft 73, as best shown in Fi 3. v

urrounding the. plunger rod 68 is a shifting sleeve 77 which serves artly as a means for gpiding the rod 68 o the lunger and whic in turn is guided in a tu ular guideway 78 arranged lengthwise on the u per part of the main frame. Between the ront parts of the plunger rod and the shifting 7 sleeve 77 is arranged a spring 79 which bears at its front endagainst a shoulder 80 at the front end of the shifting sleeve while its rear end bears against a shoulder 81 on the plunger rod, which spring tends constantly to move the shifting sleeve 77 forwardly relative to the plum r rod. On the front part of the shifting s eeve 77 is mounted a transverse yoke 82 which is capable of longitudinal adjustment thereon by means of j am nuts 83, 84 halving hscrep' connection with thf shift]; ing s eeve an enga g respective wit the front and rear shi s of the yoke 82, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. On opposite sides this yoke is provided with trunnions 85 which are connected by means of links 86 with the upper ends of rock arms 87 which are secured at their lower ends to a transverse rock shaft I 88 journaled on the main frame. This rock shaft is provided with adependin-g cam arm 89 which an a s with a cam 99 secured to a transverse s a 91 journaled on the lower artof the main frame. Rotary motion is wheel 92 secured to the cam shaft 91 and meshing with the gear wheel 93 on a countershaft 94, and a worm 95 secured to the intermediate shaft 17 and meshin with the worm wheogl 96 on the shaft 94, as s own in Figs. 1 an Upon rotatingthe cam 90 in the direction of the arrow asociated therewith in Fig. 1, the cam arm and the rock arms 86 which together with the shaft 88 form a cam lever will cause the shiftin sleeve 77 to be move backwardly through the chute into the adapter and toward the chuck whereby the lowermost nut bIank in the chute is engaged with the jaws of the chuckand the front end of 5 blank to be threaded. After the high face of the-cam 90 has cleared the cam arm 89 the plunger 67 is again returned to itemtracted position out of the path of the colsprings 97 which connect the rock arms 86 with adjacent stationary parts of the ma- If in attempting to move the plunger 67 forwardly this movement should be obstructed for an reason, such as would be likely to occur i the nut is imperfect due to an odd size of the same, or an excessive burr thereon or an obstruction in the hole thereof, them the forward movement of the plunger would 1 and permit the shifting sleeve 77 to move backwardly independently of the plunger and its rod. When the particular defective nut blank has been removed the plunger will again resume its normal stroke and feed nuts away from the chute to the adapter and between the v 77 and provided on its up chuck inasmuch as the spring 79 is sufficient ly strong for rendering the shifting sleeve and the plunger rod (practically rigid at such times and still provi e a yielding connection sitively moving actuating mechanism and the plunger which provides a safety measure for avoiding damage.

By adjusting the screw nuts 83, 84 forwardly or backwardl on the shifting sleeve 77 the plunger can readily adjusted to cut nuts of different types an also take up an wear on the parts within certain limits.

e tappet "is preferably constructed in the form of a roller which is mounted on an arm secured to the front end of the plunger rod so that whenever the lunger moves forwardly and effects a working stroke this tappet by eng g with the cam 63 will operate to with i' dw the tripbar 59 from the coupling dog 53 and permit the latter to engage with the cou ling pins of the chuck for connectin the a apter of the registering device with t e chuck preparatory to rotatin the adapter in unison with the chuck and e ecting a threading operation on a nut blank.

Means are provided whereby the nut blank feeding mechanism is automatically rendered inoperative in the event that a nutblank should become stuck either in the lower end of the chute, the adapter of the registering device, or the chuck, and thereby prevent nut blanks from dropping successively to the lower end of the chute and 010 'ng the same and other parts of the machine. For th s pur ose a safety device is provided which is pre erably constructed as follows:

The numeral 98 represents a safety latch which is-arranged lengthwise in a recess 99 in the upper front part of the shift sleeve r side a 'aoent to its rear end with a orwardly acing shoulder 100. In the rear part of the shifting rod 68 and normally arranged within the rear part of the shiftin sleeve 77 is a vertical guide way 102 whic contains a vertically movable lifting pin 101 which is normally held with its upper end against the upper inner side of the shifting sleeve 77 by means of a spring 103 bearing at its lower end against the inner side of the plunger rod while its upper end bears against a shoulder on the upper part of the lifting pin 102.

Normally the plun er rod and shifting sleeve 77 move forwar y together under the action of the cam 90 so that the solid front part of the shiftin sleeve remains over the upper end of the li ing pin 102 and prevents the latter from rising. At such times the safety latch 98 when moved forwardly beyond the rear side of a catch plate 10 i'which is secured to the adjacent part of the main frame will remain in its depressed osition within the recess or pocket 99 and t ereifore permit the shifting sleeve to again return to its foremost position preparatory toefiect ing the next following full. rearward stroke for successively feeding nut blanks from the chute to the registering device andehuck. If, however, the forward movement of the lunger should be obstructed by reason of an imperfect nut blank present at the lower end of the chute which cannot enter the adapter or is incapable of'passin into the chuck or over the tap, then the s hifting sleevefi will move forwardlyindependently of the plunger rod and thereby cause the advancing end of the safety latch 98 to be carried over the upper end of thelifting pin 102 while the advancing end of the latch is ex posed in rear of the catch piste 104,. The"- instant this occurs the lifting Ypin102 will. ush the advancing end of the latch. upwardy-so that during the subsequent part of the return or forward stroke of the shifti sleeve 77 the shoulder of this latch wi engage with the adjacent edge portion of the catch plate 104 and thereby prevent the shifting s eeve 77 from moving forwardl When this condition exists the cam 90 wi move idly and only reciprocate the sleeve 5 part of a stroke if at all and also reci recate the plunger moreor less if at all, e ending on the point in the stroke at whicl the movement of the plunger has been arrested by the presence of an imperfect nut blank which obstructs the normal path of the same.

The machinewill now remain inoperative and fail to feed any more nut blanks to the tapping mechanism until the attendant'has removed the obstructing imperfect nut bl and when this is done the attendant'merely presses the safety latch downwardly far enough "to disengage its shoulder 100 from the catch late 104 whenthe spring 79 will immediate y move the shifting sleeve 77 forwardly and restore the parts again to their normal working position. i

From the foregoing it will now be apparent that no damage can occur in this machine if any imperfect nut blank is present in the supply and that the same can be easily restored to its working condition without seriously interrupting the operation of the machine. Moreover all perfect nuts which iis are supplied by this chute are taken from their normal stationary position in the chute and tranfserred to the continuously rotating chuck While in a perfectly registered condition so that there is no liability of clogging Y thereby permit of runn n the mac the machine or injuring any of the parts and me more rapidly and increasing t e output in l %Vhen operatin .upon comparatively large 'nut blanks the p ungeris reciprocated aratively slow on account of the greater ength or height of the nut blanks, but when threadin smaller nut blanks which are of less heig t the plunger can be reciprocated faster. It is therefore posible to vary the rate of feed of nut blanks to the threadin mechanism by selecting the required pair 0 intermeshing gear wheels 92 and 93 which will give the desired rateof speed of the pliinger for a particular size of nut blank.

aim as my invention 1. A nut tapping machine compnsin a rotary chuck having a tubular spindle a apted to receive nut blanks to be tapped and means to compel rotation of the same with the chuck, a nonrotating taparranged within the spindle, a stationary chute in which a column of nut blanks is a'da ted to be arranged and having a blank out et, a registerin device inter sed between the outlet of sai chute and sai chuck, and feeding means fortransferring the nut blanks from said chute to said registering device, chuck and tap, said re istering device comprising an adapter whic receives the nut b anks and is constructed ,to compel rotation of the nut therewith, and

means for intermittently coupling and uncou ling said chuckv and adapter and compcl ng rotation of the same in unison while in register with each other.

2. A nut tapping machine comprisin s. rc-

= tary chuck having a tubular'spindle a apted -to receive the nut blanks to be tapped, ]aws arranged in said spindle and adapted toenthe nut blanks from said chute to said adapter, chuck and tap, and means for coupling and uncouplin said adapter and spindle comprising a p urality of coupling pms arranged in an annularrow on said spindle, a coupling dog mounted on the adapter and engaging one or another of said pins, and aretractor mounted on a'stationary part and adapted to withdraw said dog from the path of said pins.

'3. A nut tapping machine com rising a rotary chuck having a tubular spin 1e adapted to receive the nut blanks to be tapped, jaws arranged said spindle and adapted to ass-5's;

engage said blanks for compelling them to turn with the is indle, a tap arranged within the spindlean blanks'and held against turning, adapted to guide a column of nut l i I having an outlet through which said blanks are discharged, a. registering device interposed between said chute outlet and said achute anks' and adapted to receive the nut chuck spindle and having a rotary adapter which receives said nut blanks from the outlet of said chute, feeding means for transferring the nut blanks from said chute to said adapter, chuck and tap, and means for cow plingand uncoupling said adapter and spin- 7 I dle com rising a plurality of coupling pins arrange in an annular row on said spindle a coupling dog mounted on the adapter and engaging one or another of said pms and having an incline, a spring for moving said into the (path of said pins, and a retracting slide gui ed on a stationary part and having an incline adapted to be engaged by the incline of said dog for withdrawing the same from the path of said pins.

4. A" nut tapping machine com rising a rotary chuck having a tubular spin le adapt ed to receive the nut blanks to be tapped, jaws arranged in said spindle and ada tedto engage said blanks for compelling t m to turn with the spindle, a tap arrange within the spindle and adapted to receive thev nut.

a chute anks and having an outletthrou'gh which said blanks are dlscharged, a registering device inter posed between said chute outlet and said.

blanks and held against turning adapted to guide a column of nut l chuck spindle and havin a rotaryadapter which receives said nut bfimks from the outlet of said chute feedin ferring the nut said adapter, chuck and tap, and means for means for transblanks rom said chute to ioo coupling and uncoupling said adapter spindle comprising a plurality 'of couplin pins' arranged in an. annular row on sai spindle, a coupling dog mounted on the adapter and engaging one or another of said pins and having an incline, a spring for movmg said dog retracting slide guided on a stationary part and havin an incline adapted to be enga the same from the path of said ins, a r arm enga'glng said retracting s ide, a rock shaft carryin said arm, a cam arm' arranged,

into the path of said pins, a.

in by the mime of said dog for withdrawm on said rock shaft, and a tappet engaging said l l0 cam arm.

5. A nut tapping machine com rising a rotary chuck having a tubular spin le adapted to receive the nut blanks to be tapped,

jaws arran ed in said spindle and ada ted to engage said blanks for compelling t em to turn with the spindle, a tap arranged within the spindleand adapted to receive the nut blanks and held against turnin a chute adapted to guide a column of nut ila nks and" spindle and adapte having an outlet through which said blanks are discharged, a registering device interposed between said chute outlet and said chuck spindle and hav' a rotary adapter which receives said nut b anks from the outlet of said chute, feeding means for transferring the nut blanks from said chute to said adapter, chuck and tap, and means for coupling and uncoupling said adapter and spin dle comprising a plurality of coupling pins arrange in an annular row on said spindle,

a coupling dog mounted on the adapter and engaging one or another of said pins, and having an incline, a spring for moving said do into the path of said pins, a retracting slide guided on a stationary part and having an incline adapted to be engaged by the incline of said do for withdrawing the same from the path 0 said pins, a rock arm engaging said retracting slide, a rock shaft carrying said arni, a cam arm arranged on said rock shaft and a ta pet enga said cam arm and movable said nut lank feeding means. i

6. A nut tapping machine comprising a rotary chuck having a tubular spindle a apted to receive nut blanks to be tapped and means to compel rotation of the same with the chuck, a non-rotating tap arranged within the spindie, a stationary chute in which a column of nut blanks is adapted to be arranged and having a blank outlet, a se arate rotary registering device interposed tween the outlet of said chute and said chuck, feeding means for transferring the nut blanks from said chute to said registering device, chuck and tap and means for coupling and uncoupling said chuck and registering device in a predetermined relative position and controlled by said feeding means.

7. A nut tapping machine comprisin a r0- tary chuck having a tubular spindle a a ted to receive the nut blanks to be tapped, ibws an arranged in said spindle and adapted to engage said blanks for compelling them to turn with the spindle, a ta arranged within the blanks and held against turning, a chute adapted to guide a column of nut blanks and havin an outlet through which said blanks "are discharged, a registering device interposed between said chute outlet and said chuck spindle and having a rotary adapter which receives said nut blanks from the outlet of said chute, means for rotatably supporting said adapter comprising a stationary ring surrounding said adazpter and flanges secured to opposite sides 0 theadapter and engaging opposite sides of the stationary ring, means for coupling and uncoupling the adapter and chuck in'a predetermined relative position, and-means for feeding nut blanks from said chute to said adapter, chuck and tap.

8. A nut tapping machine comprising a ro sections and said bracket.

to receive the A nut tary fehuck' having a tubular spindle adapted to receive nutbl'anks to be tapp ed and means I to compel rotation of the samefwitli the chuck, a nonrotating tap arranged within the spindle, astationary chute in which a'column of nut blanks is adapted tobe ar-ran ed'and hay-: ing a blankou'tlet, a registering e vi'ce interposed between the outlet" of saidchute and iv registering device and chuck in a predetertransferring the nut blanks froin'said' chute to'= said registering 7 device, chuck and tap, said! ta having a laterally tl'irneddeliveryshank, a i so ushing which receives s id-shankand which is arranged horizonta ly, and means for adjustingsaid bushing lengthwise of said tap, comprising a holder having u per and lower sections engaging o posite si es of said 'bushin a pivot connecting said sections on, one si e of the bushing, a screw detachably.

connecting said sections on the opposite side of said bushing, a supporting bracket, and a bolt and slot connection between one of said 9. A nut tapping machine comprising a rotary chuck a apted to receive and turn nut blanks, a relatively stationary tap arranged within the chuck and adapted to thread the nut blanks, a chute for supplying nut blanks,

a blank'registering device interposed between comprising a sliding rod which carries said plunger and has a shoulder, a sleeve surrounding said sliding rod and havin a shoulder, a s rin interposedbetween said shoulders,

cam lever.

'10. A nut tipping machine comprising a rotary chuck a apted to receive and turn nut lin 5 connecting said sleeve with said zit blanks, a relatively stationary tap arranged 7 within the chuck and adapted to thread the nut blanks, a chute for supplying nut blanks, a blank registering device interposed .between said chute and chuck and means for feeding nut blanks successively from said chute to said registering device, chuck and.

ta comprising a plan er ada ted to en 'a sai d nut blanks, a sliding ro carrying s'aid plunger, a reciprocating carrier surroundi said 'rod, a spring interposed between said r and carrier, a detent latch mounted on said sleeve and having a shoulder adapted to engage a stationary part, and a spring pressed shifting pin mounted on the plunger rod'and adapted to niove said latch laterally into position for engaging said stationary part when the plunger is blocked and the carrier moves forwardlyindependently of said plunger rod.

its

11. A tapping machine for threading openings in blanks, comprising a chuck adapted to receive the blanks to be tapped, a tap arranged within the chuck and adapted to 5 thread the blanks, s aid chuck and tap being rotatable one relatively to another, means for feeding said blanks, and a preliminary registering device separate from the chuck a1"- ranged between said feeding means and said in tap and chuck and adapted to registersaid blanks with said chuck and including means for coupling and uncoupling the registering device and the chuck at a predetermined posi- 1 tion relative to eachother. 1

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature. I

LEWIS A. SAFFORD. 

